Page 25 of Never Always
“Thank you.” Ariel gets out of the water, and I notice her trembling a bit. “I’ll see you around then?” Crazy stranger who bared her soul to a bystander who happens to have a common thread. Are we friends now? Ariel offers a small wave as she disappears into the locker room.
The laps come easy as my mind plays the scenario over and over. Lies are easy when you have something to lose, but Ariel doesn’t have anything to lose, she gained nothing by telling me. I believe that she really did want to clear the air and show me the person Sierra is. Grange would rage and do something stupid if he found out he’d been taken. That’s what I’ve concluded after countless laps. For that reason alone, and because I don’t want him to get in any more trouble than he’s already in, I decide I have to tell someone. As a safeguard so someone else knows in case this breaks. A friend. Maeve. If she talks to Rexy, well, that’s off my plate.
I haul myself out of the water and realize how long I swam when my legs nearly give out, feeling like jelly. I’ll be sore tomorrow, but at least I was distracted during my workout. When you’re not thinking about how much exercise sucks, it’s really not that bad. I have a few texts from Sue-Ellen on my cell that I scroll through on my way back to my unit.
The last one is a clickable link with the words: Your reservation. What did she do without consulting me first? I click it and it takes me to a receipt for a hot air balloon sunrise ride for two. She even paid for it. It’s quite a drive, and even if heights scare me a bit, I have to hand it to her. It’s something he won’t forget, and I’ve never ridden in a hot air balloon before. I call her quickly and thank her. My sister is giddy, and pleased with herself, but I have to send her pictures. That’s the tradeoff. She wants details, and I won’t be able to brush her off again. I agree and then I forward the link to Grange with directions to meet me early, at five, and to get ready for the best date of his life. I don’t wait for his reply, though. I open a new text message and start spilling my guts to Maeve. I tell her word for word what Ariel just told me. It’s novel length by the time I’m done and I wonder if calling would have been better, but it’s late. I don’t want to bother her with this to begin with, let alone interrupt studying, sleep, sex, or any number of things people do at this time of night.
I send it and get a reply from Grange at the same time.
Hell no. What are you thinking? Explosives overhead? A wicker basket? Worst idea ever.
I laugh and text back:Live a little, Corrick Granger. It’s going to be unforgettable.Setting the phone on the counter, I shower. Texts ping as I wash my body and face, and I’m rushing even if I’m not trying to because I want to see who replied and with what.
It’s Maeve and she’s shocked.
It makes sense, but that’s insane. I know Ariel, she’s a bit scrappy, so it doesn’t surprise me Sierra could talk her into something like that. I understand why you don’t want to tell Grange, but I think you did your good deed by telling me. I have to tell Rexy. I have to. Grange will lose his mind when and if he finds this out. I’m glad it happened, because Sierra is obviously an awful person, but the way it went down is so devious. I feel bad for him. I want to have words with Sierra. Are you sure Ariel didn’t want anything? I should have told you that’s where she lives. I didn’t know Grange was telling you…everything. He’s here right now, by the way. Freaking out because you planned a date and he can’t say no even though he’s afraid. On a happier note, the man is wild about you, Tennyson. He won’t stop talking about you. It’s weird. Rexy is giving him a hard time, but we’re both happy things seem to be turning around for him.
He’s there. A pang of jealousy rips through my chest. I confirm we’re still on for lunch next week and let her go on with her night. I’m almost positive she’ll tell Rexy tonight, and it makes me a bit nervous knowing Grange is there. What if he’d glanced over and saw Maeve’s phone as she messaged me? Truth. I’m already keeping one from him. Guess that makes us even.
I’m combing my hair when my phone chimes.See you tomorrow morning. Killer.
Chapter Nine
Tennyson
HE SHOWS UPat my house at half past four with two piping hot coffees in his hand. My pajama shirt is hanging off my shoulder when I open the door. “You’re early,” I reply, cracking one eye against the bright light in the hallway.
Grange extends a sweet smelling coffee to me in response. I take a sip and open the door all the way so he can slide in. He’s wearing a white shirt, black sweatpants and a puff jacket. It’s a good reminder to dress warm. It’s colder up in the air. I sip the coffee. “Thank you.”
“I parked in the spot next to yours. It said visitor. That okay?”
I nod, drinking more caffeine. The doorbell is what peeled me out of bed. “I’m totally that person who gets up ten minutes before I have to leave. Just so you know for future reference.”
Grange chuckles, but his eyes are on my bare legs and high hem. “I will always be thirty minutes early so I can see you like this.” Tilting his head, he studies me from another angle. “Just so you know for future reference.”
I retreat to my bedroom to dress before he can see the blush creeping up my neck. I walk into my closet and stand for at least a minute deciding what to wear. Before I have a chance to panic at the prospect of choosing the wrong thing, I go with comfort. Jeans, a chunky sweater, and a pair of lace-up boots that have a small heel. I don’t wear them often, but they’re cute. Sue-Ellen got them for me three Christmases ago. I grab a slouchy beanie from my cold weather accessory bin and brush my teeth.
Grange knocks softly on my door. I call for him to come in. The door creaks open as I put on mascara. I turn from my bathroom and see him perched at the end of my bed. I think about Ariel’s story, and my heart aches. A week ago, I wanted to destroy Corrick. Images only reflect a tiny shimmer of who a person really is. I find myself wanting to protect him. A man who would never seem to need protecting.
“Maeve said you’re afraid?”
He’s looking around my room, curiosity lighting his eyes. “I don’t like not being in control. I hate flying in general.”
“You’d rather fly yourself?” I nearly choke on a laugh.
“Yeah, I would. That way if I crash it’s my fault. No one else is responsible.”
I slide a light pink blush on each cheek and then he watches me approach. “It’s very noble of you, but other people are just as qualified. The pilot of the hot air balloon has done a thousand flights or more, I bet.” I sit next to him on the bed and automatically regret it. We’re in my bedroom.
“You’re the first man I’ve had in my bedroom.”
“You don’t say.”
“Don’t be rude. It’s my date and the rules are you have to use manners.”
He stands. “I’ll do something rude if we stay in here any longer. Ready to get going then?” Grange picks up his coffee from my dresser and takes a sip. “You look pretty.”
Instead of asking if he’s only saying it because I told him to be nice, I thank him. I pack a bag with snacks and gloves and resist the urge to grab my messenger bag with my work books and research. Grange drives even though it’s my date. I asked if he would, mostly so I could look at him while he’s busy navigating the streets.
